Children are being invited to hunt around the centre of Harrogate this summer for classic children’s characters with a difference.
An Alice in Wonderland Lego trail is being launched tomorrow, with 15 large characters in locations around the town.
The event has been organised by Harrogate BID and the characters made by Yorkshire charity Fairybricks.
The six builders took six months and more than 514,000 Lego bricks to create the masterpieces, which will be in place until Saturday, August 20.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“Last year’s Lego trail, featuring a number of well-known Harrogate landmarks, was a huge success, hence its return this summer.
“This time we have gone for an Alice in Wonderland theme, and the models created by the Fairybricks team are simply stunning, and I can’t wait to see them in situ.
“These 15 models haven’t been displayed anywhere before, and after their Harrogate debut they will then be heading off to different events and venues all over the world.”
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The three-week event is designed to bring people into town during the summer, supporting the BID’s levy payers and other businesses in the area.
Sculptures include Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the Dormouse, and will be at locations including the Victoria Shopping Centre, the Everyman cinema, the Turkish Baths, and the Harrogate Town FC shop on Commercial Street.
The trail can be downloaded via the LoyalFree app, which is free to download from the App Store or Play Store.
Last year’s Lego trail attracted more than 5,500 people to take part using the app, with others enjoying seeing the sculptures while they were in the town centre.
Mr Chapman added:
70 guests representing Queen’s 70 years attend Ripon tea party“We are really excited to be bringing back the Harrogate Lego Trail. It was certainly one of our highlights of last year, and one that help take visitors into different parts the town.
“And with our ongoing Floral Summer of Celebration – featuring a stunning trail, colourful shop window displays and fascinating exhibition – coupled with brilliant shops, bars, restaurants and beautiful gardens and open parkland, Harrogate town centre really is this summer’s must-visit destination.
“I’d also like to thank all the businesses that are participating in the Alice in Brickland Harrogate Lego Trail, who have made room within their premises to display one of the sculptures.”
Ripon Cathedral has hosted a tea party at which guests represented every year of her Queen’s 70-year reign.
The 70 attendees ranged in age from one-year-old Hugo Krippner to Lynn Gray, who was born in 1952.
Each invitee brought a guest with them and in total, 150 people were present for the event organised by Canon Aisla Newby and supported by a large team of volunteers
At your tea service … the volunteers ensured guests were topped up with tea and buns.
Another canon of the cathedral, Charles Dodgson, had a son, also named Charles, who wrote under the name Lewis Carroll and was the author of the world famous children’s classic Alice in Wonderland, which featured the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Today’s gathering was well-organised in contrast to Carroll’s fictional and chaotic Mad Hatter event and the guests marked the monarch’s reign in an elegant and respectful manner.
Ms Gray who travelled to Ripon from Grassington, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s an absolute privilege to be here, joining with different generations of people to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee and her incredible service to this country.”
For one-year-old Hugo, whose father Dr Ronny Krippner is Ripon Cathedral’s director of music, high tea was taken in a high chair and today’s get together will be a memory in the family album that he can look back on in future years.
Dr Krippner, whose wife Audrey and three-year-old daughter Sophie also attended, said:
“We are delighted to be part of an occasion which has historic significance for this community and the country.”
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New craft shop to open in Masham
A new craft and haberdashery shop is opening this Saturday in Masham.
Through the Looking Glass, Each One Unique will open at 10am, with an Alice in Wonderland themed celebration, hoping to attract the attention of local shoppers.
The Queen of Hearts will be there to cut the ribbon, along with Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the caterpillar and Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
Manager Emily Swift said:
“I’m really looking forward to the new adventure and being a part of Masham community, although I am really nervous as well.
“I hope the people of Masham will welcome us in with open arms and embrace us”.
Through the Looking Glass was previously a women’s clothing shop that had been open for 40 years, and was forced to close during the pandemic. Ms Swift said she opted to keep the original name of the store, but wanted to take the shop in a new direction.
She added that crafting has become more popular amongst teenagers recently, particularly during lockdown when lots of people took up the hobby.
Often labelled the ‘crazy crochet lady’ by her friends, Ms Swift’s father taught her to crochet 13 years ago. Now, she is hoping more people will get involved and commented that crafting is “not just a female hobby”.
Local solicitors shortlisted for legal firm award
Harrogate based solicitors Raworths LLP, has been shortlisted for an award that celebrates the achievements of law firms internationally.
The trusts, wills and estates team are up for the ‘out of London practice of the year’ award, along with four other firms across the country.
Head of trusts, wills and estates Rachel Tunnicliffe said:
“This shortlist is particularly gratifying as, unlike a lot of awards, it isn’t something for which you nominate yourself.
“This is testimony to the great team we have built, who are doing exciting work for top quality clients.”
She added the team at Raworths are feeling confident about the award, but understand there will be stiff competition.
The winners will be announced on 21st July at the Chambers event in London.
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